Other News

Federal

Trump Declares English the Official U.S. Language, Revoking Federal Language Assistance Policy

In a landmark move marking the first federal designation of an official language in U.S. history, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 1, 2025, declaring English the official language of the United States. The order, titled Designating English as the Official Language of the United States, revokes […]

Federal

HHS Rescinds 50-Year-Old Public Input Policy, Streamlines Rulemaking Process

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Friday it is rescinding a decades-old policy that required public input on certain rulemaking procedures, effective immediately. The move eliminates the 1971 “Richardson Waiver,” which mandated notice and comment periods for rules related to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts. […]

State of Illinois

Illinois Launches New REAL ID Initiative Ahead of 2025 Deadline: Expanded DMV Hours, Online Portal

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has launched a new initiative to help residents prepare for the upcoming REAL ID enforcement deadline on May 7, 2025. The program includes several key components: Secretary Giannoulias emphasized that not all residents need a REAL ID before May 7. Those with valid U.S. […]

Federal

Democratic Committees Sue Trump Over Executive Order They Say Undermines FEC Independence

The Democratic National Committee (DNC), DSCC, and DCCC have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and other officials, challenging an executive order that they claim threatens the independence of the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The lawsuit, filed on February 28, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District […]

Federal

Federal Judge Halts Mass Firings of Probationary Federal Employees, Rebukes Trump Administration’s Workforce Cuts

A federal judge in San Francisco has determined that the Trump administration likely violated the law by abruptly terminating thousands of probationary federal employees across multiple agencies, issuing a temporary restraining order to halt further firings in key departments. U.S. District Judge William Alsup’s ruling, delivered on February 27, marks […]

Federal

Mass NOAA and NWS Layoffs Spark Concerns Over U.S. Weather Forecasting and Public Safety

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have been affected by widespread layoffs. The mass firings, which occurred on February 27 have left employees stunned and raised serious concerns about the future of weather forecasting and public safety in the country. According to sources […]

Federal

U.S. Education Department Launches DEI Reporting Portal

The U.S. Department of Education has introduced a new online platform called EndDEI.Ed.Gov, aimed at addressing concerns about discrimination in K-12 public schools. This portal allows parents, students, teachers, and community members to report instances of perceived discrimination based on race or sex in educational institutions receiving public funding. The […]

State of Illinois

Illinois schools continuing DEI initiatives despite federal funding threats

by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois February 26, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education is not telling schools to stop any diversity, equity and inclusion lessons or programs, the state’s education chief told a House committee this week, even as the Trump administration threatens to pull federal […]